UPDATE: Chetwynd Hospital emergency department now open after morning diversion

This article has been updated to include new information provided by staff members at the hospital.

CHETWYND, B.C. — A temporary diversion impacted the Chetwynd Hospital’s emergency department this morning.

Northern Health announced Thursday, September 12th at 10:23 a.m. that the department was unavailable, with an expected reopening time of 1:00 p.m. on the 12th, due to “patient acuity and volumes.”

Later in the afternoon on the 12th, a receptionist confirmed to Energeticcity.ca over the phone that the department had reopened.

This is the second diversion at the hospital this month, following an earlier 24-hour closure at the beginning of September.

People in need of life-threatening emergency care were urged to call 911 for transportation to the nearest available emergency department.

Meanwhile, non-urgent care patients could book an online appointment with Northern Health’s virtual clinic at 1-844-745-7811.